Until well into the 20th century, many Iowans still attended rural schools. It’s not surprising considering that at one time almost 14,000 one-room schools were spread across the state. My parents both went to rural schools through the eighth grade. In fact, my mother attended the same rural school that her father and grandfather before her had attended. She, my mother, always told us that there were great teachers and lasting lessons in those small wooden structures. She recently heard a story from another rural school alum who, after many years, recalled a lesson he learned in his own country schoolhouse from a first-grade teacher.

Walter’s story I started kindergarten in a rural school with a male teacher. He really never spent a lot of time interacting with the students. But in first grade we had a female teacher who spent time with us socially and outside with us at recess. One recess there was a lot of smoke pouring out the boys outdoor toilet (fyi –rural schools had great teachers but no indoor plumbing). There were too many boys in there or I might have tried to go in, too. The teacher went over, opened the door, and instructed everyone go back into the schoolhouse. So we did. We all sat down in our seats. She explained to us the importance of following the rules and being responsible citizens. She did it in such a way that it was a life lesson and has always remained with me. I have always been grateful to her for her caring and concern for her students.